First week on the wards

Everything is great here! We are in the middle of our first week of clinic and so far it has has been interesting... and also pretty sad. I (Emily) spent most of Monday orienting but then participated in patient rounds in the NICU. They had about 30 babies, some were fine, about 1/3 severely malnourished, and 1/3 probably not going to make it. If you are a preterm baby, you really do not want to be born in Africa. Yesterday, Audrey and I both spent the day in the Pediatric ward, we only rounded on 9 patients and it took the entire day. We (thankfully) sent two well kids home, but diagnosed two with tuberculosis, and one baby we are worried has pneumonia so bad she might not survive. Apparently, even though this area of Tanzania is pretty wealthy, people travel far to get here, and by the time they do, it is often too late. In fact, the worst part about it is, all along the road leading toward the hospital there are carpenter shops where they make coffins.  The ones on display are typically various sizes for children. Terrible. However, today was much better, we spent the morning in Grand Rounds, and then went to the child and family clinic for HIV/AIDS. It was great, KCMC is doing such a great job helping these children and families gain access to medications, medical care, and counseling ... a total success. I am learning so much, and thankfully a doctor named Annie from the States has taken us under her wing and is really teaching us a lot. I am planning to go to a clinic in a nearby village with her tomorrow!

So you can get a picture of how our day normally runs... our daily schedule consists of waking up with the rooster between 5:30 -6am, making some instant coffee (which is disgusting) and eating a banana or mango with some peanut butter crackers (we hope to get some eggs soon from the "mama" that cleans our house & cares for the garden). Then Audrey and I put on our white coats and walk to the hospital, after saying good morning to the most beautiful mountain in Africa! We spend most mornings in some sort of educational rounds or lecture with the medical students, they then break for Chai, then back to clinic, then break for lunch, then more clinic, then they break for Chai, then back to clinic... all before 3:30! The hospital really slows down after 4pm... which sure is different than hospitals at home! Afternoons and evenings are filled with trips to the market to buy vegetables to cook for dinner (last night we made vegetable curry, something I thought I would never like... but it turned out quite good!), hanging out with our roommates or neighbors, practicing our Swahili and processing all that happened in the hospital! Everyone must return to their houses on the compound by nightfall, about 7pm, so it makes for relaxing evenings and candlelit dinners. Then, lala salama!